21/08/2026
📌 Dangers and Temptations you might be falling into already as catechists and evangelizers
My takeaways from the Homily of Most Rev. David William V. Antonio, DD, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
4 DANGERS / TEMPTATIONS IN THE MINISTRY OF CATECHESIS & EVANGELIZATION
Mga kapatid, napakaganda at napakabigat ng ating misyon. Pero may mga bitag ang kaaway na pwede tayong mahulog. Paalala ni Archbishop: "The mission is not ours, but God’s."
Let us examine ourselves with humility.
Here are some dangers we might be encountering in the ministry:
1. SELF-SUFFICIENCY: NAKALIMUTAN NATING TAYO AY LINGKOD LAMANG
Ang unang tukso: magpaka-"boss"
Naiimpluwensyahan tayo ng kapangyarihan, posisyon, at papuri. Napapatingin tayo sa ating mga nagawa, at unti-unting kinakalimutan na hindi atin ang Salita - Salita ito ng Diyos
The danger:
Nagiging attached tayo hindi lang sa pera, kundi sa lahat ng "possessions" - influence, recognition, control. Tinatapik natin ang sariling balikat.
Nalulunod tayo sa gawa, at nakakalimutan natin: Ang Espiritu Santo ang pangunahing kumikilos. Tayo ay mga lingkod lamang, mga katuwang ni Kristo.
The remedy: HUMILITY
Like Mary, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”(Luke 1:38)
Ang tunay na misyonero, laging nakaluhod muna bago mangaral.
2. DOUBTING GOD’S POWER: NAWAWALAN NG PAG-ASA
Pangalawa: ang panghihina ng loob
Tinitingnan natin ang gawain at sinasabi: "Imposible ito. Walang nakikinig. Napakaraming problema."
Nakaramdam tayo ng rejection, disappointment, at pagod.
The truth:
“For man this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Ang misyon ng Simbahan ay hindi nakasalalay sa galing natin, kundi sa biyaya ng Diyos.
The remedy: PRAYER
Ang formation, evaluation, at lahat ng plano - dapat nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa panalangin.
Without God, the Church becomes just an organization. With God, we are a community called by Him.
3. ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS: NUMBERS OVER RELATIONSHIP
Pangatlo: mali ang tanong natin
Instead of asking: “What is Jesus trying to do through us?”
We ask: “Ilang tao ang dumalo? Ilang klase ang natapos?”
We measure success by attendance, not by intimacy with Christ.
But Catechesis Tradendae 5 reminds us: our goal is “to bring people not only in touch but in intimacy with Christ.”
The remedy: BE THE FIRST TO BE EVANGELIZED*
Bago tayo maging tagapagturo, dapat tayo muna ang tinuturuan ni Kristo.
Hindi numero ang iniingatan natin kundi tao- Mga taong mahal at iniingatan ng Diyos.
4. THINKING LIKE PAID HIRES: "ANO ANG MAPAPALA KO?"
Pang-apat: ang mentalidad ng isang "bayaran".
Sabi ni Pedro: “Iniwan namin ang lahat para sa Iyo. Ano naman ang para sa amin?”( Mt 19:27)
Hindi pinagalitan ni Jesus si Pedro. Pero pinalinis Niya ang tanong.
From: “What do I receive?”
To: “What more can I give, Lord, since You gave Yourself first to me?”
The remedy: LOVE
Hindi tayo naglilingkod para sa gantimpala. Naglilingkod tayo dahil minamahal natin ang Panginoon at gusto nating suklian ang Kanyang pag-ibig.
Catechists are indispensable members of the Church. Our service must be renewed by the spirit of love.
Yes, we will feel rejected. Dejected. Exhausted.
But remember: We are loved by God.
What is impossible for us, is possible with God.
Like Mary, let us say again and again:
“Let it be done to me according to your word.”
Ang misyon ay hindi atin. Ang Espiritu Santo ay naroon na bago pa tayo magsimula.
Be competent, yes. But more than that- be humble, be prayerful, be in love.
